Most museums are still free in the UK’s capital, and ready to be enjoyed by tourists around the world and within the big city itself. If you are asking yourself, ‘are museums still free in London?’, and don’t know where to start, you can begin with all the big ones, including The British Museum, the Natural History Museum, and many more that we all love—and they are all accessible from our hotels.
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Are London Museums Free in 2025?
If you are visiting the capital, you are probably asking yourself a key question — are museums still free in London? The answer is thankfully yes! Many museums are free to enter in London, and are well worth visiting if you ever get the chance. However, not all museums will be free, so make sure that you look at the specific location you wish to go and check ahead of time, as you may need to book tickets!
Which Major Museums Still Offer Free Entry?
Major museums that still offer free entry in London include the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the National Gallery, and the Tate Modern. There are also excellent family-friendly museums like Young V&A and the London Museum Docklands that offer free entry, with options for paid exhibitions and events.
British Museum
Get your free general admission tickets to the British Museum, and discover a range of historical collections and exhibitions, including ‘Afghanistan’s knotted history’ and more, or pay for additional exhibitions, with prices varying and separate tickets required. Or, become a member for £84 a year, and experience these paid exhibitions at no additional cost.
ADDRESS:
Great Russell St
London WC1B 3DG
Natural History Museum
Visit the Natural History Museum for free with pre-booked general admission tickets, or purchase a ticket to enjoy the collection of fantastic exhibitions about space, nature, and so much more, with prices as low as £14, while members (starting at £6 per month) can enjoy them at no additional cost.
ADDRESS:
Cromwell Rd
South Kensington
London SW7 5BD
Science Museum
Pre-book a free ticket to visit the Science Museum, and enjoy the collection of interactive and object galleries, object handling, volunteer tours, and more. Separate tickets will be required for specific experiences of exhibitions, including tickets for activities like ‘Science Afternoon Tea’ (£22–£32), ‘T. Rex 3D (PG)’ (£12; under 2s go free), and more.
ADDRESS:
Exhibition Rd
South Kensington
London SW7 2DD
National Gallery
Book a free ticket and stop by The National Gallery to enjoy a range of free collections for everyone to enjoy. There are audio guides, apps, and more to enjoy at no cost to you, but some special exhibitions may require a paid ticket purchase (usually between £10–£20). You can become a member to enjoy unlimited entry to all exhibitions, discounts, priority booking for events and exhibitions, and additional events and tours.
ADDRESS:
Trafalgar Square
London WC2N 5DN
Tate Modern
You can visit the Tate Modern without booking a ticket and enjoy the free collections at no charge, but payment is required for exhibition entry, with prices ranging from £11–£25 for admission unless you are a member (£7.50 a month) or patron. Tickets can be booked on the day, but it is recommended to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
ADDRESS:
Tate Modern
Bankside
London SE1 9TG
Why Are So Many London Museums Free to Enter?
So many London museums are free to enter thanks to a 2001 policy that allowed it in order to increase the accessibility of heritage, culture, and art. This was done to not only promote education, but also to make London an even bigger tourist city, with millions of people from around the world travelling to the city to enjoy the dozens of free museums and galleries.
Thanks to the policy and all the funding that these museums receive, they can be enjoyed by millions every year, and help the tourism industry immensely while also educating people about history, science, art, and more.
When You Might Need to Pay (Special Exhibitions or Tours)
If you want to enjoy any special exhibitions, temporary displays, VR exhibits or behind-the-scenes tours at different museums, you will likely need to pay to access these. Depending on the time of year, anniversaries, or something else, there might be interesting events being held that you will want to experience. This may include out-of-hour tours, demonstrations, courses, sleepovers, and more.
Different museums will have different special events to enjoy every year, so make sure that you look on their official websites to find one to book. There will be events for a variety of age ranges, and many activities are even free to participate in, such as the British Museum’s various Hiroshige events, Bollywood dancing performances, and events on living traditions around the world.
Do I Need to Book in Advance Anywhere?
Many museums and galleries will have the opportunity to book a timed entry ticket in advance. These are usually free, and allow you access to the museum at a certain time to ensure that there is space for you. Timed tickets are a key way to avoid overcrowding and potentially dangerous situations, particularly during the summer holidays and around Christmas, especially for places like the British Museum.
You will also need to book in advance if you want to go to any special exhibits or tours, so bear this in mind when you are planning your trip!
Which Museums Do You Need to Pay Admission Fees?
If you want to explore more museums around the city, please note that you may need to pay for entrance to visit locations like the Royal Observatory, The Fan Museum, Cutty Sark, and the London Transport Museum, either with individual tickets or an annual pass.
- Cutty Sark – £22 (adults); £11 (4–15) free (under 4s)
- The Fan Museum – £5
- Royal Observatory – £24 (adult); £12 (4–15); £18 (student); free (under 4s)
- London Transport Museum – £24.50 annual pass (free for under 18s)
Tips for Visiting Free Museums in London
Some tips that you should follow when you visit any free museums in London include following any rules you come across, booking timed entry tickets where possible for quick access, visiting early in the morning, checking final admission times, enjoying the gift shops and cafés, and more. Every museum may have different rules, so make sure that you check this before you go in and stay out of trouble while you are there to make the most of the visit.
- Follow any museum rules you read
- Bring ID for special discounts or events
- Book timed entry tickets where possible
- Visit early in the morning to avoid queues
- Check official websites for real-time updates
- Double-check closing time and final admission times
- Take some time to visit the surrounding parks and grounds
- Most gift shops and cafés are open to all visitors, no ticket required
- Enjoy the journey to the museums as much as the museums themselves
Best Free Museums for Families
If you are visiting the city with a young family, and want to find the perfect museums to visit, the Natural History Museum, London Museum Docklands, and Young V&A should be at the top of your list. And, to answer the question of, ‘Are museums still free in London?’, you will be glad to know that these museums are all free to visit, and well worth the trip.
For a day of fun and history, book free tickets to the Natural History Museum, or visit the London Museum Docklands to learn about the history of the River Thames, the dock’s historical links to the Atlanta slave trade, and so much more—or book specific tickets to events for a fee.
Another fantastic museum to visit with children is the Young V&A, where you can explore art in various forms through free general admission tickets, or book tickets to specific events with prices as low as £6.
Explore London’s Culture Without the Price Tag
Whether you are visiting London for business, or want to follow an itinerary to see the London Eye and the other historical landmarks, never forget about everything you can learn in the city’s museums.
So, are museums still free in London? There are plenty of museums that still offer free entry in London, with some of the biggest included in that list like the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, and more. However, there will be exhibitions and events that will require a paid booking as well as a free general admission ticket.
Stay close to London’s best free museums with Crown Group of Hotels – comfort, convenience, and culture all in one. Book your stay today!
